Lighting fixture for tubular lamps



March 22, 1%49.

e. P. WAKEFIELD LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR TUBULAR LAMPS INVENTOR.

GEORGE E WAKEFIELD Filed Nov. 15, 1944 04% o ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 22, 1949 i3 l ll'i ED S 'E'A'l' ES PATENT OFFICE 2,465,141 Licn'rino' FIXTURE FOE TUBULAR LAMPS George F; Wakefield, Vermilion, Ohio, assignor to The F. W. Wakefield Brass Company, Vermilion,- Ohio, a corporation of Ohio e inence November 15, 1 944,*Sei'ialNof563MS3 5 Claims.

The present improvements, relating as indicated to lighting fixtures, have more particular regard to lighting fixtures designed to be fitted with elongated tubular illuminators, such as the fluorescent tubes which are coming into extensive use as a medium for interior illumination.

- topic a ixture of -ie type in quce i to a maximum degreethe light emitted from such tubular illuminators. An object supplemental to the foregoing is to provide a supporting structure for the iliuminators which will be simple and compact and introduce a minimum amount of obstruction in the path of the light emitted. A further object is to provide a structure of the type question for the mostpart is made up of units capable of being assembledout of duplicate parts so that the fixture may be made of any desired length, composed of sections corresponding with the length of such illuminatoi's which in the case of fluorescent tubes has been more or less standardized. Still another object is to provide supporting means for the translucent reflector sections which form a part of the fixture whereby such sections may be readily attached or removed as occasion may require, as for example in order to get access to the illum'iiiatbts.

To the acco'inplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following descripticn set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means const tuting, however, but one of various niechan' forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is partially a side elevation and partially a central vertical section of a lighting fixture embodying my present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of such fixture the plane of the section being indicated by the line 3-5, Fig. 2, said section being on a larger scale than that of the two preceding figures;

Fig. 4 is partly an end elevation of the same and partly a transverse section thereof taking immediately adjacent the end, as indicated by line il, Fig. 2, the scale being the same as that i of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a broken longitudinal section showing certain details of construction, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 55, Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a-similar longitudinal section of ade- 2 tail, the plane of the section being indicated by the line- 6"5, Fig. 4;

Fig. *7 is a vertical section through-the upper end of one of the hangers'utiliZed-in suspending the fixture from a ceiling or 1ike support, the plane of such section being indicated by the line 1-4, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7a is a horizontalsection on Fig. 7.

The main supporting element of the fixture is a rigid longitudinally extending trough-like frame member I, the length of which corresponds with that of the fixture. As illustrated, this frame member is of the proper lengthto permit the fixture to accommodate four tubular illuminatorstL of standard length arranged end-'to-end. Actually, as will be presently explained, such illuniihators are designed to be arranged'in pairs so that the illustrated fixture will-take four thereof ,two thus'dispo'sed end-to' end'on' either side of said niain frame member. It will be understood that a fixture embodying my present improvements may comprise any desired'number of such pairs'oi illuminators' L from one on up, and'the frame member 1 will be cut to corresponding length, or made'of spliced-together sections of standard length, as the case may be.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, where such mam framemernber appears in transverse 'se'ctiomtne' bottomther'eof'is of fiat V-sliape' seas to present outwardly and upwardly flaringwalls, as viewed from below, while e'a'ch's'ide Wallis formed adj-a cent the upperedge thereofwith a longitudinally extending-rib or bead 2-.- Seated oncl'iannel rare one-or more ballast boxes 3 O'fstarid'ard cbnsftruc= .ii'omthenuinber' thereof require d depending upon the number df illu'mifiators used in the particular installation. Each of said boxes (see Fig. 4) is laterally shielded by plates 4, the upper portions of which 'a'ie deflected so'asto leave a ventilating space between the same and the adjacent walls of-the box. Alsc sea-ted on such trough, preferably adjacent the respective ballast boxes, are starting switches 5 enclosed in suitable housings 6', which, together with-such shilded' plates rovide a'coinpletelateral ehc'l'osiirefor-each such set ofasse'mbledswitches andballast.

Also fnoufited On saidjltfough at pr'dperly spaced intervals are lamp holder boxes 1 accompanied with laterally projecting sockets 3 of standard construction 7 which are-adapted to detachabl y feceivelthecoiitactson the ends of theilluinirratdrs so as to ni'ake' electrical connection therewith at the same time-support said'illuiiiin'ators'in desiredearner-relation to-tr-ough l'. For-use atthe ends of the fixture such lamp holder boxes will be fitted with one such pair of sockets only, but where the fixture, as illustrated, is of a length to accommodate a series of illuminators, the lamp holder boxes located intermediate the ends of the fixture it will be understood will carry two such sockets On each side. The wiring (not shown) which interconnects the several lamp sockets, ballast boxes and starting switches will be disposed within and wholly concealed by the trough-like main frame member I, and the portions of the latter intermediate the boxes seated thereon, as just described, are fitted with cover lplates II] of proper length to extend from one such box to the next in order. Such cover plates (see Fig. 3) are formed of light sheet metal or equivalent material, are of inverted V-shape in cross section and have their respective lateral edges formed to snap over the beads or ribs 2 on the u giper of the side walls of trough I. Accordingly, said cover plates may be readily removed when it is desired to gain access to the interior of the trough in order to connect or re-arrange the wiring located therein, as just described.

Fixedly secured to the under side of said trough-like frame member I at spaced intervals corresponding with the sections of the fixture which in turn correspond with the aligned series of illuminators L, are brackets I2 each of which comprises a plate of generally crescent shape so as to provide two oppositely extending arms, the ends of which are approximately on the level of the boxes previously described as being mounted on said member. These brackets constitute the supporting means for the reflector elements I3 presently to be described, and their lower edges conform approximately to the crosssectional shape of such elements which, as illustrated, is that of a semi-elipse. There will be one such reflector for each section of the fixture, i. e. such reflector will be substantially equal in length to that of the corresponding illuminator or pair of illuminators, and they may be made of any suitable material such as glass or one of the synthetic plastic compositions which are at present employed or may be found suitable for this use. While the element is termed a reflector, it will ordinarily be made of translucent material so as to transmit and distribute the light emitted by the illuminators and not merely reflect the same. The brackets I2 are conveniently attached to the frame member I by being formed in their upper middle areas with lateral flanges l4 disposed to fit the side and angularly related under surfaces of said member, attachment being by means of screws or rivets I5 passing through such flanges into the member.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the ends of reflectors I3 are offset inwardly to provide flanges I6, and attached by any suitable means to the lower edges of brackets I2 are strips I I which provide complementary seats whereon such flanges I6 may rest when the reflectors are in place. The thickness of the strip IT should not exceed, and preferably will be slightly less, than the distance the flanges are offset, so that the strips will lie entirely within the recess formed between adjacent ends of the reflectors. Furthermore, the outer faces of the strips will desirably slope outwardly and inwardly in opposite directions and be curvilinear in form so that such faces will receive a certain amount of illumination through the adjacent ends of the reflectors.

The lateral edges of the reflectors are formed with outwardly directed lips I8 which when the reflectors are in place will rest upon the outwardly and upwardly directed ends of the brackets I2 whereon said reflectors are supported 5 in the manner just described. It is thus insured that the reflectors will be held in proper position in relation to the main frame member I or more particularly to the tubular illuminators L carried by the latter. However, when it is desired to remove a reflector, either for the purpose of cleaning, replacement or to obtain more ready access to the supporting structure of the fixture, all that is necessary is to slightl tilt such reflector to disengage the lip I8 on one side or the other and then by a rotative movement, either clockwise or counterclockwise as the case may be, the reflector may be readily lifted out entirely clear of its supports.

The lips I8 serve the further useful purpose of reinforcing the edges of the reflectors I3 and give a finished effect to such edges. The ornamental aspect of the latter may furthermore be enhanced by molding the exterior surface thereof in whole or in part. Thus as illustrated (seev Fig. 5), said reflectors are formed with slightly raised bands 20 adjacent the flanges It at their respective ends and a series of longitudinally extending flutings 2I (see Fig. 4) extend from one such band to the other on either side of the median line of the reflector. These flutes at the same time by being given the proper cross-sectional form will serve to direct or disperse the light from the illuminators L in desired manner transversely of the fixture.

A reflector 22 of special construction and design is employed to close the respective ends of the fixture, or in other words, to complete the trough-like enclosure formed by the series of reflectors I3 just described. As best shown in 40 Figs. 4 and 6, such end reflectors, which will be molded out of the same or similar material to that employed in the case of reflectors I 3, correspond generally in shape with the cross-sectional shape of the latter. Also, like the latter, each such end reflector is formed with a flange 23 similar to the flanges I6 on reflectors I3, and like the latter are adapted to engage the strip I I which forms part of the adjacent bracket I2. Any suitable means may be utilized to secure such end reflector in place with its flange 23 thus in engagement with strip H, the means shown comprising bosses 24 on the inner face of the reflector which are provided with threaded inserts to receive screws 25 that pass through apertures in the adjacent bracket I2.

As in the case of the longitudinally extending reflectors I3, these end reflectors or panels may be molded to provide an ornamental effect. In addition, certain areas 26 thereon, as shown by horizontal lining on Fig. 4, will desirably be shaded or rendered opaque as by applying a dark colored band to the corresponding portions 01' the interior surface. By properly shaping and locating such opaque areas, the adjacent end of the supporting frame of the fixture, as well as the adjacent bracket I2, ma be darkened sufficiently to render these structural parts unnoticeable irrespective of whether the illuminators are turned oil? or on.

As a result, the overall effect when they are on is that of a luminous trough, from which the light is dispersed laterally as well as downwardly in a uniform degree. It will be understood that the outside surfaces of the main frame member I, as well as of the plates 4 which shield the ballast boxes 3,'in'fact all-of the'exp'osedsurfaces of the several component structural parts of the fixture, will be coated with a reflecting paint so that where the reflectorsare made of translucent material such structural parts will not show therethrough. Also, as previously noted, by reason of the concave formation of the retaining strips or bands ii and t ir inset location in relation to the ends of the adjacent reflectors it, the exposed faces of these bands will reflect s 'flicient light so as to merge into the general illumination provided by the luminous trough.

While the fixture as described be directly supported from the ceiling of a room, it will ordinarily and preferably be suspended some distance below such ceiling so that additional illumination will be derived by reflection downwardly of the light emitted upwardly from illuminators L. For the purpose of thus suspending the fixture, an improved construction of hanger 313 (see Figs. 1, 3 and '7) is provided. It will be understood that one or more of these hangers will be employed, depending upon the overall length of the fixture, provision being made for attachment of such hanger to the main frame member of the fixture at any point desired.

The main element of the hanger will consist as usual of a tube or rod of such length as may be required. To the lower end of such rod is attached a clamp 3B of inverted llshape, the ends 3'2 of the arms of such clamp being curved to engage the beads 2 along the upper edges of the main frame member l, or the corresponding lat eral edges of the cover plates to which are formed to snap over such beads or ribs as previously described. Extending transversely of the arms of clamp 32 is a threaded bolt or screw 33 by means of which such arms may be drawn together or spread apart in order to thus attach the clamp to or release the same from engagement with the main frame member in the manner described. A tubular sleeve 3% surrounds such screw and serves as a stop to limit the inward movement of the arms of the clamp.

For the purpose of attaching the upper end of hanger 352 to the ceiling a U-shaped strap 36 (as shown in 7) is provided. such strap having slots H to permit attachment thereof by means of screws 38 in adjusted position transversely of the fixture. The upper end of stem 3b is formed with a head as which is slightly coned on its under side and is adapted to engage a bayonet slot ill in the depending portion of strap (see Fig. 7e). After such head has been properly seated in this slot it is secured in place by means of a slip ring M and a canopy 42 serves to enclose such strap and stem attaching means.

From the foregoing it will be clear that as already noted the present improved fixture is composed for the most part of duplicate parts which are readily assembled together to provide a luminous unit of any desired longitudinal extent. The framework for supporting the illuminators, as well as the reflectors, is compact and yet rigid. Accessibility to all parts is provided, At the same time the illumination obtained from the fixture is unobstructed by interposed parts of the support, is uniformly diffused and spread in all directions and permits the employment of such ornamental detail as may be desired.

The channel l which constitutes the main frame member of the fixture provides a readily accessible wireway in which the wiring between the several operating elements and the receptacles or sockets which carry the illuminators may Ila) lit

be disposed and when the cover plate isiniplace be entirely concealed. Whererequiredor found desirable, the supply leadsto the fixturemaybe brought thereto throughhanger 3E? which in such will of course be tubular, and channel cover will be cut away or omitted where-such hanger member is attached to the channel by means-of the corresponding clamp 3!.

It will be understood that depending-upon the length of the fixture the number of such hangers employed to support the same as well as their disposition lengthwise of the fixture maybe varied as required or to conform to ornamental effect which it desired to obtain. Thusin the case of a fixture which carries only one pair of illuminators a single banger centrally located may be utilized, or for a shorter fixture than the one illustrated in Fig. 2, a pair of such hangers more closely adjacent than in such illustrated construction may support the fixture from points spaced short distance on either side of the midpoint of the fiuture. All these diiferent arrange r ts are possible without changing the-main its which enter into the construction of the In other words, a high degree of flexibilit is achieved v s still using stand..-

nators and the litt gs that go therewith without being necessary that the fixture be specially fabricated for each individual job.

Other modes of applying the principle of :my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point outand distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a lighting fixture of the type designedto be fitted with a plurality of elongated tubular illuminators arranged end to end, the combination of an. elongated main frame member carrying the illuminators for unobstructed exposure upwardly and laterally, and being in the form of an upwardly opening channel adaptedto receive the wiring for said illuminators, a series of brackets comprising oppositely extending arms secured to each end of said main frame member and at one or more intermediate points there along, a trough-like light diffusing member 1:;- ing entirely clear of said main frame member and comprising unitary sections of curved crosssection. adapted to extend between the arms of successive brackets on said main frame member, and holding means including transverse support strips of curved cross-section complainent'ary with the cross-section of said diffusing member on said brackets on which the ends of the light diffusing member rest and an. outwardly directed lip on each lateral edge of said light diffusing member to seat on the end of the bracket adjacent, whereby said light diffusing member is rotatable on said brackets about the main frame member for engaging and disengaging with said bracket-arms.

2. In a lighting fixture of the type designed to be fitted with a plurality of elongated tubular illuminators arranged end to end, the combination of an elongated main frame member carrying the illuminators for unobstructed exposure upwardly and laterally, and being in the form of an upwardly opening channel adapted to receive the wiring for said illuminators, a series of brackets comprising oppositely extending arms secured to each end of said main frame member and at one or more intermediate points therealong, said arms extending laterally beyond said illuminators and providing upwardly facing and unobstructed seats at their ends, a trough-like light diffusing member lying entirely clear of said main frame member and comprising unitary sections of curved cross-section adapted to extend between the arms of successive brackets on said main frame member, and holding means including transverse support strips of curved crosssection complementary with the cross-section of said dififusing member on said brackets on which the ends of the light diffusing member rest and an outwardly directed lip on each lateral edge of said light diffusing member to seat on the seat at the end of the bracket adjacent, whereby said light difiusing member is rotatable about the main frame member for engaging and disengaging with said bracket arms, said light diffusing member when in place being held against such rotative movement by the engagement of the lips of said diffusing member with the seats on the ends of said brackets.

3. In a lighting fixture of the type designed to be fitted with a plurality of elongated tubular illuminators, the combination of an elongated main frame member carrying the illuminators for unobstructed exposure upwardly and laterally, and being in the form of an upwardly opening channel adapted to receive the wiring for said illuminators, a series of brackets comprising oppositely extending arms secured to said main frame member at longitudinally spaced points therealong, said bracket-arms being formed with transverse ribs along their lower edges, and a trough-like light diffusing member comprising unitary sections adapted to extend between and be detachably seated on the ribs thus provided by successive arms on said main frame member, such ribs having outer surfaces recessed within the contour of the light difiusing member and thus illuminated through the adjacent section of said light diffusing member, and said light diffusing member lying entirely clear of said main frame member.

4. In a lighting fixture of the type designed to be fitted with a plurality of elongated tubular illuminators, the combination of an elongated main frame member carrying the illuminators for unobstructed exposure upwardly and laterally, and being in the form of an upwardly opening channel adapted to receive the wiring for said illuminators, a series of brackets comprising oppositely extending arms secured to said main frame member at longitudinally spaced points therealong, said bracket-arms being formed with transverse ribs along their lower edges, and a trough-like light diffusing member comprising unitary sections adapted to extend between and be detachably seated on the ribs thus provided by successive arms on said main frame member, and inclined outer surfaces on said ribs to reflect light from the ends of the adjacent light diffusing members, said light diffusing member lying entirely clear of said main frame member and the portions thereof which thus engage the ribs on said arms being inset.

5. In a lighting fixture of the type designed to be fitted with a plurality of elongated tubular illuminators, the combination of an elongated main frame member carrying the illuminators for unobstructed exposure upwardly and laterally, and being in the form of an upwardly opening channel adapted to receive the wiring for said illuminators, a series of brackets comprising oppositely extending arms secured to said main frame member at longitudinally spaced points therealong, said bracket-arms being formed with transverse ribs along their lower edges, and a trough-like light diffusing member comprising unitary sections adapted to extend between and be detachably seated on the ribs thus provided by successive arms on said main frame member, said light diffusing member lying entirely clear of said main frame member and the portions thereof which thus engage the ribs on said arms being inset, the outer faces of said ribs being inclined to and recessed within the contour of the light diffusing member to reflect light transmitted through the ends of such inset portions.

GEORGE P. WAKEFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,099,020 La Ducer Nov. 16, 1937 2,259,151 Claspy Oct. 14, 1941 2,259,152 Claspy Oct. 14, 1941 2,264,141 Nemeroff Nov. 25, 1941 2,291,492 Naysmith July 28, 1942 2,309,059 Friend Jan. 19, 1943 2,320,829 Naysmith June 1, 1943 2,327,568 Strang Aug. 24, 1943 2,346,717 Ainsworth Apr. 18, 1944 2,348,930 Schepmoes May 16, 1944 2,362,091 Parlato Nov. 7, 1944 2,365,614 Winkler et al. Dec. 19, 1944 2,385,040 Strassburger et al. Sept. 18, 1945 

